- Parents have formally petitioned Kenyatta High School Mwatate, raising concerns over student welfare, discipline, food quality, sanitation, and the overall learning environment.
- They have highlighted issues such as mistreatment by administrators, collective punishment, poor meals, rude catering staff, and inadequate sanitation and water facilities.
- Parents have urged the administration to act transparently and professionally, warning they have been prepared to escalate the matter to education authorities if no reforms have been implemented.
A group of Form Three parents at Kenyatta High School in Mwatate has formally petitioned the school’s administration and Board of Management (BOM), citing a wide range of concerns over student welfare, discipline, sanitation, food quality, and the general learning environment.
In a memorandum submitted to the school leadership, the parents said their grievances were aimed at improving service delivery and restoring confidence among learners, parents, and stakeholders. They stressed that the issues raised should be handled transparently and professionally to rebuild trust within the school community.
Among the key concerns is allegations of mistreatment of students by a senior member of the administration. Parents claimed that learners had repeatedly complained about excessive disciplinary measures and urged the school to initiate an independent investigation into the matter.
“We strongly recommend that the school handles this matter transparently and professionally to restore confidence among learners and parents,” the memorandum states.
They also questioned the use of collective punishment, arguing that penalising entire classes for the misconduct of a few undermines morale and unfairly punishes innocent students.
The petition further highlighted dissatisfaction with the quality of meals served at the school. Parents said students had complained about poor‑quality porridge and watery meals, despite earlier discussions on improving the feeding programme. They insisted that proper nutrition is essential for learners’ health and academic performance.
Concerns were also raised about the conduct of catering staff, who were accused of treating students rudely. Parents recommended customer care training and disciplinary action where necessary to improve service delivery.
ALSO READ:
Government puts mechanism in place to recruit 2 million TVET trainees by December
Beyond food and discipline, parents appealed for the revival of programmes that recognise academic achievement, such as excellence dinners and motivational events. They noted that such initiatives had previously inspired students to perform better and should be reinstated to encourage academic excellence.
Sanitation facilities also featured prominently in the petition. Parents cited sewer leakages, overcrowded ablution blocks, and poor maintenance, warning that these conditions pose health risks and compromise students’ dignity. They called for urgent repairs and expansion of sanitation infrastructure. Water shortages were another concern, with parents demanding updates on a borehole project they said had been financed by them. They asked the administration to provide clear timelines for its completion and outline long‑term measures to guarantee a reliable water supply.
ALSO READ: Treasury under pressure as MPs demand action on pension delays for retired teachers
The memorandum also questioned the removal of curtains from dormitories, urging the school to balance security concerns with students’ right to privacy. Parents further called for reforms in internal management systems, including improvements in administration, boarding services, catering, security, and communication. They recommended retraining of staff and stronger accountability measures to enhance customer service across departments.
While warning that they could escalate the matter to the Ministry of Education, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), and other relevant authorities if no action is taken, the parents maintained that their objective is to work collaboratively with the school to address the concerns.
“We remain committed to supporting the school administration in nurturing disciplined, academically excellent and morally upright learners,” the memorandum stated.
By Jonathan Mwinzi
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
